Method and apparatus for applying a growth regulating composition to a cotton crop

ABSTRACT

A wick applicator for applying agricultural liquid chemicals to crops, weeds and other vegetation. The wick applicator includes an elongated tube for holding and dispensing liquid chemicals. An air inlet extends from the tube and is communicatively open to the internal chamber of the tube. To meter or regulate the flow of liquid chemicals from the elongated tube, a non-variable fixed size orifice is disposed in the air inlet tube. In use, the wick applicator is useful in applying a growth regulating composition to the upper portion of a cotton crop. This is achieved by setting the wick applicator at a selected height and then moving it through a cotton field at that height and in the process, engaging and mopping the portion of any cotton crop in its path.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to wick applicators and to applyinggrowth regulating chemicals or compositions to agricultural crops, andmore particularly to means for calibrating a wick applicator to controlthe application rate of chemicals therefrom and also more particularlyto applying a growth regulating chemical to a cotton crop via a wickapplicator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Wick applicators are often used to apply herbicides to weeds orother undesirable vegetation that typically grow among crops. Typically,a wick applicator includes an elongated tube that has an internalchamber for holding the herbicide. A series of dispensing holes areprovided in the elongated tube and a wicking material or fabric isusually wrapped around the elongated tube adjacent the dispensingopenings. It is known to provide a main on/off valve that iscommunicatively open to the internal chamber of the wick applicator. Byopening the on/off valve, the wicking material wrapped around theelongated tube will, through a wicking action, draw the herbicide fromthe wick applicator. Once the wicking material has become wet with theherbicide, then the wick applicator can be used to directly engage anddirectly apply the herbicide to weeds and other undesirable vegetation.For a more complete understanding and appreciation of conventional wickapplicators, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,362, thedisclosure thereof being expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] One of the major problems and drawbacks with all wick applicatorsis the inability to calibrate them and control the flow of liquid fromthe internal holding chamber to the outer wicking material. Experiencewith wick applicators reveals two extreme situations. First, there isthe case where the flow rate of chemical is so low that the fieldoperation is totally ineffective or is at best, marginally effective.Obviously, if an insufficient amount of the chemical is reaching thetargeted foliage, then clearly the field operation is not satisfactory.Equally a problem is the situation where one finds the wicking materialto be overly saturated. It is not uncommon to find operations where thewicking material is so saturated that the chemical is actually drippingfrom the wicking material. Not only is the wasteful but this problem canand will lead to serious crop damage. Moreover, the waste is evenaccelerated by the evaporative effects caused by the wick applicatorbeing moved through the field at an appreciable rate.

[0004] Therefore, there has been and there continues to be a need for awick applicator that includes some reliable means to calibrate the wickapplicator and to in the end control the application rate of theapplicator.

[0005] Turning briefly to a discussion of cotton and the application ofgrowth regulating chemicals to cotton plants and their foliage, it isappreciated that it has for some time been standard practice in cottonfarming to treat the growing cotton plants with a growth regulatingchemical. To date, it appears that this operation is generally carriedout by a conventional spraying procedure.

[0006] Before discussing the shortcomings of spraying a growthregulating chemical on cotton, it might be beneficial to basicallyreview some of the reasons for applying such a chemical to cotton.Generally, plant growth regulators modify cotton plants in a number ofbeneficial ways. Applying growth regulators to cotton plants allow thecotton grower to manage the cotton crop for short season production andreduces the risk of poor quality and yield due to the harvest seasonbeing delayed or prolonged for reasons not controlled by the cottongrower. The application of growth regulators to cotton will reduce theheight of certain cotton plants and will provide a more open canopy. Atthe same time, boll retention will be improved and in fact, the plantwill grow larger bolls with less boll rot and improved defoliation. Inthe end, this will reduce trash in the cotton crop and will lowerginning costs. Therefore, it can be said that the cultural practice ofapplying growth regulators to cotton is well-known and is an acceptedpractice throughout the United States and indeed the world.

[0007] As pointed out above, plant growth regulators are generallyapplied to cotton by spraying. Sprayers used for this cultural practiceare most often multi-row sprayers that take the form of a self-propelledoverhead sprayer or a sprayer of the type that is mounted on a farmtractor. There are a number of serious problems with spraying cottonwith a growth regulator. The most visible drawback and problem concernshow the operator chooses which plants to spray and which plants not tospray. It is an unusual occurrence, especially with respect to a firstfield operation, where all of the plants are the same size and thecotton grower desires to apply the plant growth regulator uniformlyacross a field. The typical situation is where a certain percentage ofthe cotton plants are taller than others and it is the desire and intentof the grower to only apply the growth regulating composition to theserandom occurring taller plants. Thus, it is customary to find theoperator traveling through the field and periodically cutting thesprayer on and off. Obviously, this is a very imprecise way of applyingthe growth regulating composition to the intended plants. It is at bestguess work, and it is especially so in view of the fact that thespraying system usually covers a large number of rows and a relativelylarge area in a small time sequence. Thus, the operator can only hope tominimize the inefficiencies and make the best of a bad situation.

[0008] Therefore, there has and continues to be a need for an effectiveway of applying a growth regulating chemical or composition directly totargeted cotton plants.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention presents a wick applicator that overcomesthe disadvantages and drawbacks of conventional wick applicators and atthe same time provides a new method or process for directly applying agrowth regulating chemical to targeted cotton plants that are of aheight and maturity that call for such a direct application.

[0010] First, with respect to the wick applicator of the presentinvention, the same includes a liquid or chemical holder for holding thechemical to be dispenses, and at least one outlet opening formed in theliquid holder. A wicking material is disposed about the liquid holderand extends over and adjacent the outlet opening. Through a wickingaction, chemicals held within the liquid holder are induced therefrominto the outer disposed wicking material To calibrate the wickapplicator or to control the flow rate of chemicals from the liquidholder into the wicking material, the wick applicator is provided withan air inlet that is communicatively open to the interior of the liquidholder. Disposed within the air inlet is a non-variable constant sizeorifice that is designed to control the flow of air into the internalarea of the liquid holder which as a consequence, controls the rate thatthe chemical within the holder can be wicked therefrom. In the end, thiswill control the final application rate of the chemical to the targetedvegetation or foliage.

[0011] With respect to a process or method for treating a cotton cropwith a growth regulating composition, the present invention contemplatesa direct and targeted application through the use of a wick applicator.That is, the growth regulating composition is placed into a wickapplicator. In applying the growth regulating composition, theapplicator is set at a preselected height on a carrier frame or withrespect to the ground. This preselected height is calculated to engagethose cotton plants that are deemed appropriate for treatment. Thus, asthe wick applicator is moved through the cotton field, it will engageand mop only that portion of the cotton crop that extends above athreshold or set level As the wick applicator passes over the cottoncrop, it is appreciated that because the wicking material will includethe growth regulating composition that this growth regulatingcomposition will be mopped onto the selected cotton crop.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide awick applicator that includes means for regulating or controlling theapplication rate of the solution contained within the applicator.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a wickapplicator that can be altered to provide different chemical applicationrates.

[0014] Still a further object of the present invention resides in theprovision of a wick applicator of the character referred to above thatincludes an orifice that acts to regulate the application of chemicalsfrom the applicator to foliage directly engaged by the wick applicator.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method orprocess of treating cotton plants with a growth regulating compositionwherein the growth regulating composition is applied directly toselected cotton plant foliage.

[0016] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide amethod of treating cotton plants with a growth regulating compositionwherein the growth regulating composition is applied directly toselected foliage via a wick applicator.

[0017] Other objects and advantages of the present invention becomeapparent and obvious from a study of the following description and theaccompanying drawings which are illustrative of such invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the wick applicator of thepresent invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the wick applicator takenalong the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view that illustrates the airinlet line of the wick applicator.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating how the wickapplicator is utilized to apply a plant growth regulator to a cottoncrop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] With further reference to the drawings, the wick applicator ofthe present invention is shown therein and indicated generally by thenumeral 10. Wick applicator 10 comprises an elongated tube 12 that isconstructed of PVC piping or other suitable material. Tube 12 can be ofvarious sizes but is contemplated for general applications that athree-inch diameter PVC pipe would be appropriate. Formed within thetube 12 is a liquid holding chamber 12 a (FIG. 2). As will beappreciated from subsequent portions of this disclosure, holding chamber12 a is adapted to receive and hold a liquid chemical to be applied bythe wick applicator 10.

[0023] Formed on the ends of the wick applicator 10 is a pair of clearend caps 14. The end caps 14 are clear so as to enable the operator toview the internal chamber 12 a and determine the quantity of liquidcontained therein at any time.

[0024] Formed along the bottom portion of the tube 12 is a series ofoutlet openings 16. Note that in FIG. 2 where the outlet openings 16 aredirected out the lower side of the tube 12, approximately between thefive and six o'clock position as viewed in FIG. 2. Note also that in theembodiment illustrated herein, that there are two sets of the outletopenings 16. Each set of openings is designed, in the case of thisdisclosure, to accommodate a single row of a particular row crop. Thus,as viewed in FIG. 1, since there are two sets of outlet openings 16, thewick applicator 10 illustrated therein is adapted and designed toaccommodate the simultaneous treatment of two rows of crop. Outletopenings 16 can vary in size and in spacing between the respectiveopenings. It is contemplated that for general applications that theoutlet openings would be approximately ⅛ to ⅜ inch in diameter and wouldbe spaced approximately 1½ to 2 inches apart.

[0025] Secured around the elongated tube 12 adjacent the respected setsof outlet openings 16 is a wicking material 18. Note that the wickingmaterial 18 is wrapped and secured around the tube 12 in such a fashionthat the wicking material covers and extends around the area of the tubeoccupied by the outlet openings 16. Various wicking materials are knownand are conventionally used on wick applicators. In the case of thepresent disclosure, it is contemplated that a relatively heavy denimfabric, of the upholstery type, would be suitable for a direct crop wickapplication as discussed subsequently in this disclosure. As illustratedin FIG. 2, the wicking material 18 disclosed herein is of a 2-plyconstruction Because the wick applicator 10 disclosed herein is designedfor a row crop application, the width of the wicking material 18 on thetube 12 should be of a sufficient span to effectively treat a singlerow. While the span of the wicking material 18 can vary to accommodatecertain conditions and row spacings, it is contemplated that a span of20 to 22 inches would be suitable in general applications.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 1, it is seen that there is a T-coupler 20secured to one end of the elongated tube 12. T-coupler 20 includes athreaded opening formed in what is referred to as the top of the coupler20 or the top of the wick applicator 10. Secured within the threadedopening of the T-coupler 20 is a threaded cap 22. Threaded cap 22 alsoincludes a smaller threaded opening therein.

[0027] Secured within the smaller threaded opening of the cap 22 andextending therefrom is an air inlet line indicated generally by theNumeral 24. Air inlet line 24 includes a threaded coupler 26 that isadapted to be threadly connected within the opening formed in the cap22. Secured to the threaded coupler 26 is a main on/off valve 28. Mainon/off valve 28 includes a actuating handle 28 a that can be turned orrotated to open and close-the main on/off valve 28.

[0028] Secured to the main on/off valve 28 and extending therefrom is anelbow 30. Connected to the elbow 30 is a reducer 32 that includes athreaded end 32 a. An orifice plate retainer 34 that includes internalthreads is designed to be secured to the threaded end 32 a of thereducer 32. Orifice plate retainer 34 is designed to accept and hold anorifice plate 36. In particular, orifice plate 36 is sized to fit withinthe retainer 34 and the retainer 34 is in turn adapted to hold andsecure the orifice plate 36 between the terminal end of the threaded end32 a of the reducer 32 and the retainer 34. Formed in the orifice plate36 is a non-variable fixed size orifice 38.

[0029] The orifice diameter can vary depending upon the type ofapplication that the wick applicator is set up to accommodate. Generallyhowever, it is contemplated that in most field applications that theorifice diameter would range in size from approximately 0.020 to 0.150inches in diameter. More particularly, one is referred to the variousorifice plates manufactured by Spraying Systems Co., of Wheaton, Ill.Spraying Systems Co., manufactures an orifice plate, No. 49/6-35 that isappropriate in a number of typical agricultural crop applications.

[0030] The purpose of the orifice 38 is to control the rate ofapplication of the wick applicator 10. Essentially, the orifice 38 issized so as to calibrate the rate of fluid dispersion from the holdingchamber 12 a into the wicking material 18. While the wicking material 18tends to draw the liquid from the chamber 12 a, the presence of airpassing through the orifice 38 during this process establishes, in partat least, the flow rate of liquid through the outlet openings 16 intothe wicking material 18. Consequently, the size of the orifice 38 formedin the orifice plate 36 controls the rate the liquid chemical heldwithin the chamber 12 is wicked into the wicking material 18 and appliedto crop material or other foliage.

[0031] As discussed in the Background Of The Invention, cotton plantstend to grow at different rates. As a consequence, during the growingseason it is typical in a crop of cotton to find uneven growth. That is,under normal growing conditions some of the cotton plants will be higherthan others. This is undesirable. For reasons already discussed, it isdesirable for the cotton plants be of a uniform maturity as theyapproach harvest season.

[0032] In the past, cotton crops have been sprayed with a growthregulating composition such as Pix Concentrate Plant Regulatormanufactured by BASF Corporation of Research Triangle Park, N.C.27709-3528. The active ingredient in many plant growth regulators,including the Pix Concentrate Growth Regulator, is Mepiquat Chloride.The drawbacks and problems of spraying a growth regulating product oncotton has already been addressed. In short, spraying is a mostineffective and inefficient means of applying a growth regulatingcomposition to a non-uniform cotton crop.

[0033] The present invention contemplates applying such a growthregulating composition directly to select and targeted cotton plants byutilizing the wick applicator 10 to actually engage certain cottonplants and to effectively mop a growth regulating composition ontocertain plants. With reference to the schematic of FIG. 4, a tractor 100is shown therein and includes a three-point hitch arrangement 102 thatsupports a tool bar 104. Tool bar 104 can be raised and lowered via thetractor's hydraulic system. Secured to the tool bar 104 is a horizontalframe 106 that extends rearwardly therefrom. Supporting horizontal frame106 is a pair of ground engaging wheels 108. Secured about the rear ofthe horizontal frame 106 is a sub-frame or carrier frame 110. Thecarrier frame 110 is vertically adjustable within the horizontal frame106. In fact, the carrier frame 110 can be moved up and down withrespect to the horizontal frame 106 and stationed at any number ofvertical positions. Forming a part of the carrier frame 110 is atransversely extending lower connecting bar 112. The lower connectingbar 112 serves to support and hold the wick applicator 10 thereunder. Aseries of laterally spaced strap-type clamps, such as hose clamps, canbe utilized to secure the wick applicator 10 to the underside of thelower connecting bar 112.

[0034] The wick applicator 10 shown in FIG. 4 is designed to treat tworows of cotton as there is provided two sets of holes 16 with thewicking material 18 wrapped around each set of holes 16. To carry outthe process, the cotton grower or operator selects an elevation for thewick applicator 10. Typically, the cotton grower will select theelevation such that as the tractor is propelled through the field, thewick applicator 10 will engage and treat a certain population of cottonplants that extend upwardly to a height comparable to the elevation setfor the wick applicator 10. Thus, as the tractor 100 moves through thefield with the wick applicator 10 set at a particular elevation relativeto the ground G, the wicking material 18 aligned with each row willengage the higher cotton plants and the growth regulating compositionwicked into the wicking material 18 will be mopped onto the foliage ofthese plants. This is particularly illustrated in FIG. 4. Note that thetop portion of the higher cotton plant 120 is being engaged and moppedby the wick applicator. Also note that the lower cotton plants 122 haveupper extremities that lie below the treating elevation selected for thewick applicator 10 Consequently, as the tractor loo moves through thefield, cotton plants 122 and other plants that are no higher will not betreated.

[0035] Cotton growers may utilize various treating schemes including oneor more treatment phases during the growing season. In the way of anexample, it is contemplated that the wick applicator 10 of the presentinvention will be utilized in a first phase treatment program that willoccur when the cotton plants reach a height of approximately 14 to 24inches. This is often referred to as “pin head square”. These cottonplants are just beginning to show the growth of bolls and this occursgenerally about 6 to 10 weeks after field planting. During this firstphase of treatment the object is to selective engage and target thatpopulation of the cotton crop that extends above a certain threshold.Here, as outlined above, the wick applicator 10 moves over the cottonfield at a generally constant elevation with respect to the tractor andthe ground. Larger cotton plants are engaged and treated directly whilesmaller cotton plants are passed over by the wick applicator 10.

[0036] Continuing with the example, after the first phase treatment,there can be a second phase treatment where the cotton grower treatssubstantially all of the cotton. This would typically take placeapproximately 10 to 21 days after the first treatment. Again, smallercotton plants can be passed over but generally it is contemplated that agreater percentage of the cotton plants will be contacted and treatedduring the second phase compared to the first phase.

[0037] Application rates can vary but it is contemplated that fortypical applications one would expect an application rate ofapproximately 1 to 2 ounces per acre of the plant growth regulator, suchas the Pix Concentrate Growth Regulator. Generally, the plant growthregulator is diluted in a solution. In a diluted solution form, atypical application entails applying approximately 8 to 12 ounces ofdiluted solution containing the plant growth regulator per acre ofcotton. To apply the growth regulating composition at the rate describedabove, the grower can select an orifice 38 of a proper size to yieldsuch an application rate when the applicator is moved through the fieldat a conventional rate of 4 to 6 miles per hour.

[0038] To fill the wick applicator 10 of the present invention, cap 22can be removed from the T-coupler 20 and the chemical to be utilized canbe poured into the opening formed in the T-coupler 20. During periods ofnon-use, the main on/off valve 28 can be shut off and the tube 12rotated to where the outlet openings 16 are disposed about a top portionof the tube. This will prevent solution from wicking from the internalchamber 12 a outwardly to the wicking material 18.

[0039] It will be appreciated that the wick applicator 10 can be used toapply other solutions and compositions directly to field crops. Forexample, nutrients such as Boron and other fertilizers can be directlyapplied to plant foliage.

[0040] From the foregoing specification and discussion, it is seen thatthe wick applicator 10 of the present invention has the advantage ofproviding a calibrated wick applicator. In other words, the utilizationof the orifice within the air inlet line permits the flow of air intothe wick applicator to be precisely controlled. Moreover, differentapplication rates can be achieved by simply varying the orifice plateand the size of the orifice formed therein.

[0041] Also, the present invention provides a new method or process fortargeting select cotton plants for the purpose of applying a growthregulating composition to the foliage thereof. In the process disclosedherein, a wick applicator is set at a selected elevation with respect toground level such that the wick applicator will engage only the topportions of cotton plants selected for treatment.

[0042] The present invention may, of course, be carried out in otherspecific ways than those herein set forth without parting from thespirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The presentembodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within themeaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to beembraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of applying a growth regulatingcomposition to a cotton crop, comprising: moving a wick applicatorhaving a growth regulating composition therein over a field of cottonplants, and engaging an upper portion of certain cotton plants with thewick applicator and applying the growth regulating composition to thecotton plants as the wick applicator is moved over the cotton crop. 2.The method of claim 1 including the step of setting the wick applicatorat an elevation relative to the ground for a period of operation andengaging the top portion of certain cotton plants that lie in the pathof the wick applicator as the same is moved over the cotton crop.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the wick applicator includes an outer wickingmaterial that contains the growth regulating composition and wherein asthe wick applicator is moved over the field of cotton, the wickingmaterial effectively engages and mops the upper portion of certaincotton plants that lie in the path of the wick applicator.
 4. The methodof claim 1 including the step of controlling the rate of application ofthe growth regulating composition by incorporating an orifice into thewick applicator.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the cotton crop istreated with the growth regulating composition in separate fieldoperations.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the growth regulatingcomposition is applied in two separate field operations separated by atleast seven days.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the two separatefield operations are separated by approximately ten to twenty-one days.8. The method of claim 1 wherein the wick applicator is carried on atractor and can be raised and lowered relative to the tractor, andwherein in applying the growth regulating composition to the cottoncrop, the wick applicator is placed at a selected elevation with respectto the ground and is moved through the field while the wick applicatorengages a top portion of certain cotton plants and mops the growthregulating composition onto the top portions of the engaged plants. 9.The method of claim 3 wherein the wick applicator includes an elongatedtube for containing the growth regulating composition and wherein thewicking material is wrapped around the elongated tube over a segmentthat generally aligns with a row of cotton during the application of thegrowth regulating composition, and wherein the elongated tube includes aseries of holes adjacent the wicking material that permits the growthregulating composition to be wicked from the elongated tube into thesurrounding wicking material.
 10. The method of claim 1 including thestep of applying the growth regulating composition at a rate ofapproximately one-half to four ounces per acre of cotton.
 11. The methodof claim 9 wherein the growth regulating composition includes mepiquatchloride.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the wicking materialdisposed around the wick applicator includes a denim material.
 13. Anagricultural wick applicator for applying liquid chemicals to crops,weeds and other vegetation comprising: a liquid holder for holding aliquid chemical; at least one outlet opening formed in the liquidholder; a wicking material disposed adjacent the outlet opening forwicking the liquid chemical from the liquid holder; and a meteringorifice communicatively coupled to the liquid holder for generallycontrolling the rate of flow of the liquid chemical from the liquidholder to the wicking material, the metering orifice including a platehaving a non-variable, constant size orifice formed therein forcontrolling the flow of air into the liquid holder and therebycontrolling the flow rate of the liquid chemical flowing from the liquidholder to the wicking material.
 14. The wick applicator of claim 13wherein the wick applicator includes an air inlet having the plate andorifice secured therein.
 15. The wick applicator of claim 13 wherein theorifice plate is removable such that replacement orifice plates withdifferent size orifices may be incorporated to yield different chemicalapplication rates.
 16. The wick applicator of claim 13 including an airinlet line communicatively connected to the liquid holder and having athreaded orifice plate retainer normally secured to the air inlet linefor retaining the orifice plate in the air inlet line.
 17. The wickapplicator of claim 16 including a main on/off valve disposed within theair inlet line.
 18. The wick applicator of claim 13 wherein the wickingmaterial includes a denim fabric.
 19. The wick applicator of claim 13wherein the non-variable constant size orifice has a diameter ofapproximately 0.020 to 0.100 inches.
 20. The method of claim 1 includingthe step of securing the wick applicator onto a frame adapted to bemoved through the cotton field and wherein the frame includes groundengaging wheels that effectively space the wick applicator a selecteddistance above the ground such that only crop material at the elevationof the wick applicator and above are treated by the wick applicator. 21.The method of claim 20 wherein the frame includes a verticallyadjustable sub-frame and wherein the wick applicator is mounted to thevertically adjustable sub-frame and can be vertically adjusted withrespect to the ground by moving the sub-frame up and down.